Hamilton got a clean get away and owned corner 1. No stout challenge appeared and he sped into successive corners. Mild carnage unfolded behind him though. Vettel is a multiple world champion, but he is still not highly regarded by some, largely because the view exists that he won championships when his machine was superior to what was available to his peers. And he is known to, like an egg, crack easily, when subjected to minute degrees of pressure.

It is felt that he could have won the championship in 2017. But, again, for myriad reasons, including his own mental shortcomings, he came up empty-handed. At the French GP, starting from P3, Vettel leapt, in search of Hamilton.

Despite several battles on the track and Ferrari switching strategy, the unaffected Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in the country which gave the world the city of love – it was that type of race.

The defending champion was rarely bothered. Vettel’s early blunder meant he was always on the back foot and Hamilton was able to rip into the speed bag when he felt the opposition was gaining.

With Bottas and Vettel removed from the spotlight, Verstappen and Raikkonen – who dismissed Ricciardo – rose to the fore – P2 and P3 respectively. Are we seeing a more astute Verstappen?

Is it true that Vettel is weak when it matters most? The answer may not be clear, but his error ensured that Lewis reclaimed the lead in the championship. Vettel had to settle with P5. The social media playboy is now chilling with a lead of 14 points.

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